The Federal Government has assured Nigerians of the timely completion of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Project, emphasizing that rainfall will not hinder progress. The project, spanning 700 kilometers and costing ₦4 billion per kilometer, is a flagship initiative under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Key points from the assurance include:

1. **Commitment Despite Weather Challenges**: Despite heavy rainfall which can naturally slow down construction, the Federal Ministry of Works is committed to ensuring the project stays on schedule. Measures are in place to manage water levels and maintain progress.

2. **Contractor Diligence**: Contractors have been directed to work diligently to ensure the project meets its design and completion deadlines.

3. **Project Importance**: The highway is crucial for enhancing cross-country connectivity, promoting trade relations, and fostering economic development across Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Akwa-Ibom states.

4. **Phased Completion**: The project will be completed in phases, with the first phase from Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island to Lekki Phase 1 already completed by Hitech Construction Company.

5. **Geographical Coverage**: The highway will connect Victoria Island in Lagos to Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, passing through key locations like Oniru Beach, Landmark Beach, and Good Beach/Sol Beach.

The completion of this project is expected to significantly benefit the region by improving infrastructure and supporting economic growth and development.

The Borno State Government, under Governor Babagana Zulum, has announced scholarships for indigent students in various fields, particularly targeting undergraduate courses in Medicine (MBBS), Engineering, and the Chinese language in reputable institutions in China.

Here are the details for applying for these scholarships:

1. **Chinese Language Scholarship**:
– Candidates must have excellent results in arts subjects.
– The application portal is open until August 15.
– Applicants should be between 18 to 25 years old.

2. **Medicine (MBBS) and Engineering Scholarships**:
– For Medicine (MBBS): Applicants must pass English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics with a minimum of 75% in WAEC.
– For Engineering: Applicants must pass English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics with a minimum of 65% in WAEC.
– The detailed calculation for percentage requirements can be found on the scholarship website: www.scholarship.bo.gov.ng.
– The application portal is open until August 15.
– Applicants should be between 18 to 25 years old.

These scholarships aim to support talented and deserving students from Borno State in pursuing higher education in critical fields both domestically and internationally.

The Nigeria Police Force has announced the implementation of the digitalized Central Motor Registry (e-CMR), scheduled to commence enforcement on July 29. This initiative aims to enhance security, modernize motor vehicle registration, and combat vehicle-related crimes such as terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and armed robbery.

Here are the steps required to apply for the e-Central Motor Registry:

1. **Visit the Website**: Go to https://cmris.npf.gov.ng/ and click on the apply icon.

2. **Create a Profile**: Use your National Identification Number (NIN), Driver’s License, or Tax Identification Number (TIN) to create a profile.

3. **Log In**: If you already have a profile, log in using your access credentials.

4. **Select CMR Request**: Choose the CMR request and then select a sub-request.

5. **Provide Vehicle Details**: Enter the required vehicle information and click Next.

6. **Confirm Details**: Check the box to confirm the accuracy of the vehicle details and click Proceed.

7. **Make Payment**: View the invoice and proceed to make payment using any available payment method.

8. **Confirmation**: Details of your request will be sent to your registered phone number and email address.

By following these steps, vehicle owners can comply with the new registration requirements and contribute to improving national safety and security infrastructure through the e-Central Motor Registry.

Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State has urged corps members to accept their postings in good faith, emphasizing that developmental services are needed more in rural communities. Sani, represented by the state’s Commissioner for Sports Development, Prof. Benjamin Gugong, made this statement at the closing ceremony of the 2024 Batch ‘B’ Stream 1 orientation course on Tuesday in Kaduna.


He appealed to the corps employers in the state to accept the corps members posted to their organizations, make them comfortable, and mentor them. Sani encouraged corps members to uphold the relationships they built during the orientation course and dedicate themselves fully to national service through community development projects.

“You should create more meaningful relationships during your service year, thereby promoting national integration and unity. Be security conscious, and respect the culture and traditions of your host communities. Respect the people that you will come across and do not look down on them,” the governor said.

Sani also reiterated the state government’s commitment to ensuring the security and welfare of the corps members, recognizing the importance of youth as the future of the nation.

The State Coordinator of NYSC, Hassan Taura, also addressed the corps members, urging them to maintain the discipline they displayed during their stay in the camp. He warned them against night journeys and unauthorized travels outside the state and encouraged them to seek permission if they needed to travel.

“Take advantage of skills acquisition as post-camp training to become self-reliant. White-collar jobs are not readily available, so endeavor to be self-employed and, if possible, employers of labor,” Taura stated.

Taura thanked the state government for its support and commitment to the scheme, as well as all stakeholders, collaborating agencies, and camp officials for their contributions to the success of the orientation course.

A total of 71,291 candidates participated in the 2024 National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) conducted in 599 centers on Saturday, June 1, 2024.

Lagos State came tops with the highest number of candidates, with 17,751, while FCT came second with 10,209 candidates, and Anambra State trailed in third position with 4,972 candidates.](https://www.gettyimages.com)

The federal government has released the 2024 National Examination Council (NECO) entrance exam results for Unity schools. Dr. Yusuf Sununu, the Minister of State for Education, announced this development during a press briefing at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.

He revealed that 71,291 students actively participated in the NCEE, with Lagos State having the highest number of candidates at 17,751. The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) followed with 10,209 candidates, and Anambra State came third with 4,972 candidates.

The Minister also disclosed that one candidate attained the top score of 203 out of a possible 210, while 13 candidates received the lowest score of 1. “This year, an unprecedented number of 52 candidates (2 candidates from Lagos State and 50 candidates from Rivers State) were involved in examination malpractice,” the Minister noted. He further mentioned that, as always, 60% of the admission process will be based on merit.

The detained Binance Holdings Limited executive, Tigran Gambaryan, was on Tuesday, whisked into the Federal High Court in Abuja in a wheelchair. Gambaryan, dressed in a black T-shirt and blue jeans, is facing a money laundering charge alongside the cryptocurrency firm. When the matter was called, Gambaryan stood up from the wheelchair and walked slowly into the dock.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s lawyer, Ogechi Ujam, informed the court that although the matter was scheduled for the continuation of the trial, the commission’s lead counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, was not present. Ujam requested the court to stand down the matter to allow Iheanacho to conduct the trial. Babatunde Fagbohunlu, SAN, representing Binance (the first defendant), and Mark Mordi, SAN, representing Gambaryan, did not oppose the application. Justice Emeka Nwite stepped down the matter until noon.

Justice Nwite had previously ordered the management of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) to release Gambaryan’s medical certificate by July 16. The judge’s order followed an application by Gambaryan’s lawyer, Mordi, who requested the court to summon the medical doctor at Kuje Correctional Centre to explain the delay in providing his client’s medical report despite an earlier court order.

Gambaryan had collapsed in open court on May 23 due to alleged ill-health. The defence law firm, Aluko & Oyebode, had raised concerns on May 27 about Gambaryan’s deteriorating health, warning that he might die in Kuje Correctional Centre if his medical condition continued to worsen.

His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has once again demonstrated his commitment to Africa’s youth by announcing the winners of the prestigious Royal African Young Leadership Forum (RAYLF) Awards.

The annual awards ceremony, now in its fourth year, celebrated exceptional young Africans who are making significant contributions to their communities and the continent at large. This year’s honorees, a distinguished group of 100 young leaders from 40 African countries, were recognized for their outstanding achievements across various fields, including entrepreneurship, politics, advocacy, technology, healthcare, and social impact. The awards ceremony, themed “Africa of the Future: Better Together,” took place on July 12 and 13, 2024.

As a testament to their commitment to experiencing the pinnacle of African ingenuity, the RAYLF 2024 awardees embarked on a special tour of the Dangote Refinery in Lagos State, Nigeria. This state-of-the-art refinery, the largest single-train refinery in the world, has been hailed as a game-changer for Africa’s energy landscape. The awardees were met by the Director of Construction and the Vice President of the Dangote Group, who provided insights into the refinery’s groundbreaking technology and its potential to transform Nigeria’s economy. The tour underscored the continent’s growing capacity to undertake and complete mega-projects.

Next, the awardees visited Abeokuta, the capital city of Ogun State, where they held a town hall meeting with former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. During the meeting, Obasanjo welcomed the young leaders and encouraged them to seek leadership positions to influence policies in their respective countries. Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State also pledged his support to the group and donated 200 original copies of Jonathan Paul Iv’s “Built.”

The tour continued to Ile-Ife, where the awardees were hosted at a welcome dinner by the Ooni of Ife. Among the guests at the dinner was Abubakar Abba Bello, CEO and Managing Director of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), who announced that the bank would provide funding and export consultancy to one of the awardees involved in cassava starch extraction.

The official award ceremony began with the recitation of the national anthem, the Ife anthem, and the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) anthem. Special guests included the Minister of State for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Jamila Bio Ibrahim, and the Director General of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Charles Odii.

Dr. Shola Owonikoko, the RAYLF president, delivered a speech extolling the vision of the Ooni of Ife and the impact of RAYLF on inspiring young Africans. Oba Ogunwusi then announced the founding of the Royal African Chamber of Commerce, which aims to create partnerships and networking opportunities for young African entrepreneurs.

The event also saw the launch of a ₦1 billion fund called Women Owned Micro Businesses (WOMB) by the Ooni of Ife and SMEDAN. Odii stated, “The project is an initiative envisioned by His Royal Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, to train, fund, mentor, and support female entrepreneurs across Nigeria with access to local, regional, and global markets. SMEDAN is committed to providing the ₦1 billion fund to support the WOMB project.”

The ceremony concluded with the awardees being fully inducted into the RAYLF and receiving their signed certificates.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has assured that it has no intention of handing over public universities to private investors. This clarification was made by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, during the Second Quarterly Engagement of the ministry with Heads of units and Chief Executive Officers of parastatals and agencies under the ministry.

Responding to concerns raised by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) about a purported plan to transfer federal universities to private investors through Public-Private Partnerships, Prof. Mamman refuted these claims. He emphasized that the government’s policy is focused on transnational education, which aims to open up Nigeria’s tertiary education system to global investment and participation.

Transnational education, according to Prof. Mamman, is about inviting people from around the world to invest in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions. This initiative is designed to enhance the quality and global competitiveness of Nigerian universities without selling them off to private entities. He noted that while the private sector plays a significant role in the provision of tertiary education, as evidenced by the number of private universities in the country, the government remains committed to its public institutions.

Prof. Mamman stressed the importance of allowing international universities to establish themselves in Nigeria, either independently or in collaboration with local institutions. This approach aims to raise educational standards and bring financial benefits to the country. He pointed out that countries in Asia have successfully leveraged international institutions to improve their educational standards and economic gains.

The minister highlighted that the engagement with heads of agencies and parastatals was to review progress, address challenges, and reaffirm the government’s commitment to enhancing the educational landscape in Nigeria.

A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court dismissed an application filed by the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, seeking permission to travel to the UK for medical treatment. Justice Hamza Muazu ruled against the request, stating that there was no medical appointment or invitation presented to the court.

Emefiele is facing multiple charges, including criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy to obtain by false pretence, and obtaining money by false pretence during his tenure as the CBN governor. One of the allegations involves forging a document purportedly from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, requesting a logistic advance of $6,230,000 in line with a presidential directive.

Emefiele’s application mentioned a travel period from July 28 to September 10, but the court found no supporting medical documentation. The prosecution argued that no medical report was provided to show an ailment requiring treatment abroad and that Emefiele posed a flight risk due to his connections abroad and ongoing trials in three different courts.

Justice Muazu emphasized that the lack of a medical invitation and the ongoing trials influenced the decision to deny the application. The adjourned date for the continuation of the trial remains unchanged.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has introduced stringent requirements for Nigerian passport holders seeking tourist visas. Effective from July 15, 2024, Nigerians must show a bank balance of at least $10,000 and pay a non-refundable fee of ₦688,000 (excluding visa fees) to obtain a Document Verification Number (DVN) necessary for the visa application.

This comes after the UAE lifted a nearly two-year visa ban on Nigerian passport holders. Mohammed Idris, Nigeria’s Minister of Information, announced that an agreement had been reached to resume visa issuance, which includes updated controls and conditions to facilitate obtaining a UAE visa.

Nigerians can visit [documentverificationhub.ae](http://documentverificationhub.ae) for more information on the updated visa conditions. The high financial requirements have sparked concerns among many Nigerians, as highlighted by social media user @Mochievous, who questioned the accessibility of the new rules for the average Nigerian.

Dr. Ayodele Festus Olorunfemi, the Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate for the November 16 election in Ondo State, has promised to implement a ₦120,000 minimum wage for workers if elected. In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), he emphasized that well-paid workers tend to be more productive.

Olorunfemi explained that during the 2023 campaign, the LP pledged an ₦80,000 minimum wage, but with the current economic situation, he believes ₦120,000 is now necessary and affordable. He also highlighted the party’s plans to engage more workers and enhance their productivity to boost the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

Additionally, Olorunfemi proposed constructing a dry port in Ondo State to ease traffic congestion in Lagos and boost the local economy. He mentioned collaboration with the Alaba International Market Association in Lagos to establish a dry port at Ore and a significant international market, aiming to reduce traffic inflow to Lagos.

Ekene Abubakar Adams, a 39-year-old member of the Labour Party (LP) in the House of Representatives, has passed away. The House spokesman, Akin Rotimi Jr., announced his demise on Tuesday, July 16. Adams, a first-time House member, chaired the House Committee on Sports and was known for his dedication to grassroots sports development in Nigeria.

Rotimi described Adams as “a kind and gentle humanitarian, loved by all who knew him.” His contributions to the House will be deeply missed.

Adams is the third lawmaker in the Green Chamber to pass away in 2024. He died roughly a week after the passing of another House of Representatives member, Olaide Akinremi, who served as the Representative for the Ibadan North Federal Constituency under the All Progressives Congress (APC). Akinremi, also known as Jagaban, passed away at the age of 51 following a short illness.

Approximately two months prior to Akinremi’s passing, Isa Dogonyaro, another House of Representatives member from the APC, died. Representing the Babura/Garki Federal Constituency in Jigawa State, Dogonyaro was remembered as a jovial and intellectual patriot.

Senator Masaud Doguwa, a notable figure in Kano State’s All Progressives Congress (APC), has switched allegiance to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). This announcement was made in a statement signed by Doguwa and released to the press on Friday, July 12.

Doguwa criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration for its lack of direction and policies, which he claims have impoverished the nation, prompting his defection to the PDP. He expressed feelings of being underutilised and frustrated with the APC’s anti-people policies, which led to his decision to leave the party and his numerous supporters.

### Reasons for Defection

– **Lack of Participation:** Despite their extensive political experience, Doguwa noted they seldom had opportunities to participate in party discussions and contribute to the APC’s development.

– **Anti-People Policies:** Doguwa voiced his strong dissatisfaction with the policies of the APC government, stating that he feels they negatively impact everyday people. He said, “After careful appraisal, I have discovered that some of the policies are anti-people-oriented and do not align with our political ideology.”

– **Burden on Ordinary Citizens:** Doguwa added that the policies are causing more harm and concern than good to the ordinary and common citizens of the country. “From what we have seen happening in APC, we have not seen light in the tunnel where an ordinary man, big or small, will sigh a relief from the burden of life with the APC approach on issues.”

### Background and Reaction

The defection of Doguwa, who has been a prominent figure in the APC, highlights growing discontent within the party. His move to the PDP could signify a shift in political dynamics, especially in Kano State, where he holds considerable influence.

Doguwa’s departure from the APC follows a trend of dissatisfaction among some members who feel sidelined and frustrated by the current administration’s policies and governance approach.